Heater device for a firearm

ABSTRACT

A heater for warming the firing mechanism of a firearm and the hands of the user. One embodiment of the heater includes structure similar to well known hand warmers having fuel suspended adjacent a heater element which includes a catalytic substance to support combustion of the fuel vapors. The heater is positioned between the stock and the firing mechanism of the firearm and is adaptable to existing firearms. An alternate embodiment of the heater includes an electric heater element which radiates heat as electric current passes therethrough. A battery is included which is suitably coupled to the electric heater to force electric current therethrough.

United States Patent Hutto July 3, 1973 [54] "EATER Y FOR 5 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor: Billy Hum, 107 Avenue, 480,269 7/1929 Germany 42m R West Helena, Ark. 72390 [22] Filed; Apr. 2 1972 Primary Examiner--Benjamin A. Borchelt [52] US. Cl. 42/1 R, 42/71 R, 89/1 l-l, 126/208 [51] Int. Cl F4lc 27/00, F41d 11/20, A61f 7/06 [58] Field of Search 42/1 R, 71 R, 84; 89/1 l-l; 126/204, 208

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,327,086 l/l920 Dawson et a1. 89/1 H 2,404,736 7/1946 Marick 89/1 H 2,758,592 8/1956 Phipps 126/208 2,816,539 l2/l957 Church 126/208 2,833,271 5/1958 Barber... 126/208 2,835,245 5/1958 Morgan.. 126/208 2,997,042 8/1961 Mitchell..... 126/208 3,057,342 10/1962 Woodzick 42/1 R Assistant Examiner--C. T. Jordan Attorney-John R. Walker, 111

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT A heater for warming the firing mechanism of a firearm and the hands of the user. One embodiment of the heater includes structure similar to well known hand warmers having fuel suspended adjacent a heater element which includes a catalytic substance to support combustion of the fuel vapors. The heater is positioned between the stock and the firing mechanism of the firearm and is adaptable to existing firearms. An alternate embodiment of the heater includes an electric heater element which radiates heat as electric current passes therethrough. A battery is included which is suitably coupled to the electric heater to force electric current therethrough.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL 3 I975 SNEHIUFZ FIG. 3

HEATER DEVICE FOR A FIREARM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to hand warmers adaptable to firearms which also warm the firing mechanism thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art The broad concept of adapting a hand warmer to a firearm as heretofore been contemplated and is disclosed in the Woodzick U.S. Pat. No. 3,057,342. However, the 342 patent pertains to a warmer for detachable securement to the firearm, as opposed to an integral part thereof. Therefore, it is doubtful that the 342 patent would have a warming effect upon the firing mechanism of the firearm. It should be pointed out that during extremely coldweather hunters often experience malfunctions of their firearms caused by congealing of the lubricants in the firing mechanism, i. e., a problem not recognized or solved by the 342 patent.

A preliminary patentability search revealed in addition to the 342 patent the following U. S. patents: Phipps U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,592; Barber U.S. Pat. No. 2,833,27l; Morgan U.S. Pat. No. 2,835,245; and Mitchell U.S. Pat. No. 2,997,042. None of the above patents show or suggest applicants device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards overcoming the disadvantages and problems relative to previous warming devices for firearms. The concept of the present invention is to provide an integrally adapted heater for warming the firing mechanism of an automatic rifle or firearm and the hands of the user. One embodiment of the heater includes structure similar to well known hand warmers having fuel suspended adjacent a heater element which includes a catalytic substance to sustain combustion of the fuel vapors, i. e., subsequent to suitable ignition thereof. The heater is positioned between the stock and the firing mechanism of the firearm and is adaptable to existing firearms. An alternate embodiment of the heater includes an electric heater element which radiates heat as electric current passes therethrough. A battery is included which is suitably coupled to the electric heater to force electric current therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the heater device of the present invention shown integrally adapted to an automatic firearm being interposed between the firing mechanism and the stock thereof.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken as on a vertical plane of FIG. 1 with a portion of the gunstock removed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as on the line III-III of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as on the line IV-IV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the complete firearm showing the new device of the present invention integrally attached thereto.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternate embodiment of the heater device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken as on the line VII- --VII of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS From FIG. 5 of the drawings, it may be seen that the heater device 11 of the present invention is an integral part of a firearm 13 having a stock 15, a barrel 17, and ammunition firing mechanism 19. The heater device 1 l is intended for warming the firing mechanism 19 and for warming the hand of the user (not shown). Although the firearm 13 is shown as a two piece type stock, it will be understood that device 11 may be applied to a one piece type in the same location.

Particular attention is now directed to FIGS. 1 4 of the drawings wherein it may be seen that the heater device 11 includes a first quantity of liquid fuel 21 (FIG. 3), first enclosure means or a fuel tank 23 for holding the fuel 21 and having disposed therein absorbent material 25 for absorbing and suspending the fuel 21 in a well known manner. Additionally, the heater device 11 includes a wick 27 having the inner end thereof contiguously engaging the absorbent material 25 and the outer free end of the wick 27 protruding outwardly from the fuel cank 23 for transferring or delivering a quantity of the fuel 21 outwardly from the fuel tank 23, e. g., including structure similar to the Matoba U.S. Pat. No. 3,295,510.

The fuel tank 23 is provided with an opening 29 which is positioned adjacent the wick 27 to allow the vapors from the fuel 21 to emanate upwardly threrethrough.

The device 11 also includes a heater element 31 which includes a well known catalytic substance, e. g., similar to that taught by the Wintz U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,704. The heater element 31 is disposed adjacent the opening 29 and is removably attached to the fuel tank 23, i. e., preferably frictionally engaging the fuel tank 23 for selectively and instantly disengaging same for reasons yet to be disclosed. Temporary ignition of the wick 27 in any well known manner, as by a match or the like, is effective to eventually cause the heater element 31 to sustain consumption of the vapors of the fuel 21 to generate heat at which time the flaming wick is simply blown out.

However, I prefer that the heater device 11 include means for igniting the wick 27, i. e., as opposed to an external ignition source, as a match or the like. More specifically, the heater device 11 includes a portion or a stick of flint 33 and a roughened wheel 35 for striking the flint 33 in a well known manner. From FIG. 2 of the drawings, it may be seen that the flint 33 and the wheel 35 are disposed adjacent the wick 27. Accordingly, striking the flint 33 with the wheel 35 is effective to ignite the wick 27.

From FIG. 2 of the drawings, it may be seen that the heater device 11 includes a main body member 37 having a chamber 39 suitably provided therein for receiving the fuel tank 23, the heater element 31, etc. In this regard, the fuel tank 23 is attached to the main body member 37 by a plurality of bolts 41 or the like. Additionally, the main body member 37 includes a front face 43 and a rear face 45. Protruding from the rear face 45 is an alignment pin 47 which extends into an alignment bore 49 suitably provided in the stock 15. The stock 15 is mated to the rear face 45 of the main body member 47 and is suitably attached thereto as by a bolt 51, i. e., the bolt 51 slidably extends through an aperture 53 suitably provided in the stock 15 and is threadedly received in a threaded bore 55 suitably provided in the main body member 37.

An adapter 57 is included for adapting various configured firearms to the heater device 11. In other words, the adapter has a front face 59 and a rear face 61. Accordingly, the intent of the present invention is to provide a plurality of adapters 57, i. 6., one peculiar adapter for each different configured firearm. In other words, all of the several adapters 57 will have an identical rear face 61 for mating with the main body member 37, but the front faces 59 will each be peculiar to a specific firearm. Regardless of the configuration of the front face 59, the adapters 57 will include an aperture 63 centrally thereof for receiving an attachment bolt 65.

More specifically, the main body member 37 is provided with a recessed aperture 67 for slidably receiving the attachment bolt 65 and the firing mechanism 19 is provided with a threaded bore 69 for also receiving the attachment bolt 65, i. e., the aperture 67 leads into the chamber 39 and the bolt 65 preferably is provided with a well known Allen socket 71 for suitably driving the bolt 65 into the threaded bore 69 so that the head portion thereof is substantially flush with the walls of the chamber 39 as clearly shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The rear face 61 of the adapter 57 includes an alignment rib 73 as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings. Additionally, the main body member 37 is provided with an alignment recess 75 for receiving the alignment rib 73 to hold the adapter 57 in alignment with main body member 37.

The heater device 11 also includes a cover member 77 which is hingedly attached as with hinge 79 to the main body member 37. From FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, it may be seen that the cover member 77 is recessed into the main body member 37 so that the outer surface thereof is substantially flush with the contoured outer surface of the main body member 37. Additionally, the cover member 77 is provided with a plurality of apertures 81 which are symmetrically disposed about the surface thereof for allowing the passage of heat therethrough for warming the hand of the user. In this regard, it should be pointed out that the firing mechanism 19 is heated by the conductivity of the firing mechanism 19 and the main body member 37 in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. For this reason, it may be desirable to construct the main body member 37 from aluminum or the like. A handle or bail 83 preferably is included and is suitably attached to the tank 23 to facilitate removal of the tank 23 from the chamber 39.

The cover memer 77 snaps to a closed position and is held closed by a ridge portion 85 yieldably moving into a thumb recess 87, i. e., the thumb recess 87 being provided in the main body member 37 for receiving the thumb of the user as he unsnaps the ridge portion 85 preparatory to opening the cover member 77.

The heater device 11 also includes a second enclosure means or second fuel tank 89 for holding an additional quantity of fuel which is character referenced herein by the numeral 21'. The additional quantity of fuel 21' is an auxiliary supply for periodically refilling the first fuel tank 23 as the first quantity of fuel 21 is consumed. Conduit means 91 is provided for communicating the first fuel tank 23 with the second fuel tank 89 and a manually operated valve assembly 93 is included which is interposed between the fuel tanks 23,

89 for selectively transferring a portion of the fuel 21' from the fuel tank 89 to the fuel tank 23.

The valve assembly 93 is suitably fitted in an aperture 95 provided in the main body member 37 substantially as depictedin FIG. 3 of the drawings. The valve assembly 93 includes a fuel impervious washer 97 which is urged against a seat 99 by a compression spring 101. A plunger 103 is provided and which is connected to the washer 97 by a shaft 105 for selectively moving the washer 97 from the seat 99. A fuel impervious seal 107 circumferentially engages the plunger 103 to preclude passage of fuel between the plunger 103 and the walls of the aperture 95. Operation of the valve assembly 93 is effected by simply depressing the plunger 103 toward the cover member 77, thus allowing fuel to gravitate from the fuel tank 89 to the fuel tank 23, i. e., after rotating the firearm 13 substantially about the longitudinal axis thereof as depicted in FIG. 2 of the drawings so that the fuel tank 89 is higher than is the fuel tank 23. A plug 109 is removably received in the threaded aperture 111 to facilitate refilling the fuel tank 89.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings wherein it may be seen that an alternate embodiment of the heater element per se is disclosed and is herein character referenced by the numeral 231. The alternate embodiment includes a main body member 237 having a chamber 239 therein. The heater element 231 preferably consists of typical electrical resistive means, e.g., resistive wire or the like. An attachment bolt 265 is included for attaching the stock 15 and the main body member 237 to the firing mechanism 19, i. e., an aperture 267 is provided in the main body member 97 for receiving the bolt 265 which is threadedly received in the above-described threaded bore 69.

The second embodiment includes at least one battery 269 for energizing the heater element 231. The main body member 237 is provided with a battery socket 271 for receiving the battery 269. A pair of conductors 273, 275 connect the battery 269 to the heater element 231 in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. A battery access plate 277 is provided which closes the battery socket 271 in a suitable manner.

It may be desirable to include a plurality of batteries 269 or perhaps a larger battery than the battery socket 271 will accommodate. In either of these events, the stock 15 preferably is provided with suitable battery sockets (not shown) for receiving additional batteries or a larger battery which is suitably connected to the heater element 231 in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art.

It should also be understood that when the term heater element per se is herein referenced, it is intended to include either the heater element 31 which includes a catalytic substance and/or the just-described electric heater element 231. Additionally, when the term means for energizing the heater element is herein mentioned, it is intended to include the ignited petroleum product or liquid fuel 21 and/or the battery 269.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferrred embodiments thereof, it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a firearm having a stock, a barrel, and ammunition firing mechanism, heater means for warming said firing mechanism and for warming the hand of the user, said heater means comprising a heater element and means for energizing said heater element, said heater element being interposed in said firearm adjacent said firing mechanism with said energizing means being coupled to said heater element and positioned adjacent thereto.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said heater element includes electrical resistance means and said means for energizing said heater element includes a battery.

3. The combination of claim 1 in which said heater element includes a catalytic substance and said means for energizing said heater element includes an ignited petroleum product.

4. In a firearm having a stock, a barrel, and an ammunition firing mechanism, heater means for warming said firing mechanism and for warming the hand of the user, said heater means being disposed between said stock and said firing mechanism, said heater means comprising a first quantity of liquid fuel, first enclosure means for holding said first quantity of fuel, absorbent material means disposed within said enclosure means for absorbing and suspending said fuel, wick means having the inner end thereof contiguously engaging said absorbent material and the outer free end thereof protruding outwardly from said enclosure means for delivering a quantity of said fuel outwardly from said enclosure means, said enclosure means being provided with an opening adjacent said protruding wick means to allow the vapors from said fuel to emanate therethrough, and a heater element including a catalytic substance and being disposed adjacent said opening and being removably attached to said enclosure means whereby temporary ignition of said wick means being effective to eventually cause said heater element to sustain consumption of the vapors of said fuel to generate heat.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which is included second enclosure means disposed adjacent said first enclosure means for holding an additional quantity of said liquid fuel, conduit means for communicating said first enclosure means with said second enclosure means, and manually operated valve means interposed between said first and second enclosure means for selectively transferring said fuel from said second enclosure means to said first enclosure means.

6. The combination of claim 4 in which is included a portion of flint and wheel means for striking said flint, said flint and wheel means being disposed adjacent said wick means whereby striking said flint being effective to ignite said wick means. 

1. In a firearm having a stock, a barrel, and ammunition firing mechanism, heater means for warming said firing mechanism and for warming the hand of the user, said heater means comprising a heater element and means for energizing said heater element, said heater element being interposed in said firearm adjacent said firing mechanism with said energizing means being coupled to said heater element and positioned adjacent thereto.
 2. The combination of claim 1 in which said heater element includes electrical resistance means and said means for energizing said heater element includes a battery.
 3. The combination of claim 1 in which said heater element includes a catalytic substance and said means for energizing said heater element includes an ignited petroleum product.
 4. In a firearm having a stock, a barrel, and an ammunition firing mechanism, heater means for warming said firing mechanism and for warming the hand of the user, said heater means being disposed between said stock and said firing mechanism, said heater means comprising a first quantity of liquid fuel, first enclosure means for holding said first quantity of fuel, absorbent material means disposed within said enclosure means for absorbing and suspending said fuel, wick means having the inner end thereof contiguOusly engaging said absorbent material and the outer free end thereof protruding outwardly from said enclosure means for delivering a quantity of said fuel outwardly from said enclosure means, said enclosure means being provided with an opening adjacent said protruding wick means to allow the vapors from said fuel to emanate therethrough, and a heater element including a catalytic substance and being disposed adjacent said opening and being removably attached to said enclosure means whereby temporary ignition of said wick means being effective to eventually cause said heater element to sustain consumption of the vapors of said fuel to generate heat.
 5. The combination of claim 4 in which is included second enclosure means disposed adjacent said first enclosure means for holding an additional quantity of said liquid fuel, conduit means for communicating said first enclosure means with said second enclosure means, and manually operated valve means interposed between said first and second enclosure means for selectively transferring said fuel from said second enclosure means to said first enclosure means.
 6. The combination of claim 4 in which is included a portion of flint and wheel means for striking said flint, said flint and wheel means being disposed adjacent said wick means whereby striking said flint being effective to ignite said wick means. 